Brandon’s Fight For Sight

Donations to help Brandonget his sightaccepted at:

– Ent Credit Union to The Brandon Stewart Fund

– Jill’s Country Cafe in Falcon

– My Sister’s Kitchen in Colorado Springs on Boulder

ELLICOTT – A seven year old boy from Ellicott now has a chance to see for the first time in his life and it’s thanks in part to a story his parents saw on NEWSCHANNEL 13.

When her baby boy was just six months old Katrina Stewart, a young mom at just 21 years old, was told Brandon would never be able to see. He was diagnosed with optic nerve hypoplasia, meaning his optic nerves will never fully develop. The doctors told Katrina there would never be a cure in Brandon’s lifetime. Brandon describeshis owncondition in very simple terms: “My eyes are broke.”

Accepting what they thought to be their fate, the family moved from Kansas to Colorado so Brandon could attend the Colorado School for the Deaf and the Blind. Brandon does have some sight. “He can see some color as long as they’re bright colors and he can see shadows,” describes his mom, Katrina.

Brandon’s limited vision make the world a frightening place. A phrase Brandon says more than most children is, “I’m scared.” Katrina says everything from the rain to trees are scary for Brandon.

And then, one December night, everything changed for the Stewarts.They were watching television andsaw a story NEWSCHANNEL 13 talking about a girl from Virginia who received treatment in China for optic nerve hypoplasia, the same condition affecting Brandon. “I cried and screamed. I was so excited. I was thrilled. This was the best Christmas present ever.” remembers Katrina.

Since that night the Stewarts have held fund raiser after fund raiser to pay for the treatment that is only available in China. It consists of Brandon receiving stem cells from an umbilical chord. The Stewarts say it’s important for people to know the stem cells are coming from an umbilical chord and is not the controversial procedure of taking stem cells from embryos. Brandon will have a total of 6 stem cell injections over a 35-day periodin China along with physical therapy and speech therapy.

In addition to thescary surgery, the Stewarts are in a race against time. Brandon is now seven and the treatment can only be done on children as old as eight. “This is the last shot he’s got,” says Katrina.

It probably won’t give him perfect vision, but will change his life. “If this treatment will help him to discover the world around him, then we’re just really excited,” says Katrina. When asked if he could only see one thing,Brandonsaid it would be”my mom’s face.”

The Stewarts are on their way to China in August for the treatment. So far, they’ve raised $35,000. To make the trip and pay for the treatment, they still need to raise $15,000 more to go. Then, when they return home, they’ll need $20,900to buyhypobaric chamber or have one donated to help Brandon’s body accept the treatment.

You can helpBrandon get his treatmentby donating to The Brandon Stewart Fund at any Ent Credit Union. Donation are also accepted at Jill’s Country Cafe in Falcon and at My Sister’s Kitchen in Colorado Springs on Boulder. For more information on Brandon and his journey to China click here: Brandon’s Fight for Sight.